Don't be fooled by CAQ's video, Liberals tell anglophones

With polls showing Quebec's non-francophone vote is testing the waters on how to vote in the 2018 election, the war of words between the two leading political parties, the Liberals and Coalition Avenir Québec, continued Thursday.

Quebec’s English-speaking community should not be fooled by the Coalition Avenir Québec’s sudden interest in their well-being and future, a top Liberal cabinet minister says.

As a political war over anglophone votes moved into its second day after the release of a CAQ video, Native Affairs Minister Geoffrey Kelley — the MNA for the West Island riding of Jacques-Cartier — responded to the CAQ’s new initiative to sell itself as an alternative.

“I would urge English-speaking voters to look at the CAQ record and not just a 45-second video,” Kelley said in an interview Thursday. “When it comes to the commitment to Canada, the CAQ commitment is very, very shallow.

“They are federalists only until the next poll and if next poll isn’t good, they’ll change their minds again.”

On Thursday, the CAQ released a video on social media designed specifically to woo non-francophones, who traditionally vote massively Liberal in general elections.

It plays up the fact the CAQ now sees Quebec’s future inside Canada but with much more autonomy. CAQ insiders describe it as “nationalism lite.”

“From now on, you have a real choice,” CAQ Leader François Legault says in the video. “If you wish for Quebec to flourish within Canada, if you have had enough of being stuck with the Liberal Party that is worn out, if you’re tired of being taken for granted, you now have an option. Join us.”

But reaction to the video was swift, with many negative comments on the Montreal Gazette’s website. The video also made waves with the Liberal government, with Kelley offering an official reaction.

He urged voters to dig a bit deeper. The CAQ, he noted, has a version of the Parti Québécois’ ill-fated charter of values on the books that might not be too popular because it calls for clothing restrictions in the civil service just like the PQ’s did.

“It’s something the English-speaking community didn’t want to hear about in 2014 and has no more stomach for today,” Kelley said.

The CAQ is also committed to “smaller state” and abolishing school boards, he said, adding school boards are an essential institution to the community.

“Look at where they (in the CAQ) stand on a number of issues which are important to the English-speaking community,” Kelley said. “When you look at their positions on inclusion, on diversity, when you look at their position on federalism, you’ll find them wishy-washy at best and really offside with where opinion is in the English-speaking community.”

“The Liberal Party is trying demonize us,” Roy said. “That’s their game. But I think when anglophones really listen to what we have to say, they will understand what the PLQ says about us is totally false.

“So, don’t worry. There will never, never, never, ever be a referendum on sovereignty with a government of the CAQ. Believe me.”